AlertMetalGuard   taken from  http://www.alertmetalguard.com/

The No. 1 solution worldwide for the detection of tinfoil-lined bags and clothing

Professional shoplifters know that security tags hidden in simple tinfoil-lined bags or hidden in foil-lined clothing are virtually undetectable using conventional security systems!

Now, thanks to Alert MetalGuard, you can detect tinfoil shoplifters as soon as they come in the door! And our high deterrent value ensures that potential shoplifters don't come back.

{Comments by RespectRFID: Suspect that there will be too many errors due to customers carrying cookie sheets, frying pans, auto license plates, mirrors, etc. from that store or others in the shopping mall.}

The booster bag problem

It takes only minutes to make a device that defeats (almost) any anti-shoplifting system!

Professional shoplifters have discovered a major weakness in conventional security systems – bags and clothes lined with layers of tinfoil could "hide" magnetic security tags from the antennas designed to detect them. Popularly called “booster bags” by industry specialists, these bags take just minutes to make and have rapidly become the “tool of choice” for shoplifters the world over.

Booster bags provide shoplifters with enormous advantages because:

they can contain large quantities of merchandise

they look natural in a shopping environment

security tagged items inside cannot be detected by conventional RF, AM, or EM systems

they leave no evidence of the crime!

Today, you'll find stories in newspapers the world over about how 42 DVDs or 17 Armani shirts, or 30 bottles of expensive perfume have been found in a single booster bag – found because a security guard or shop assistant discovered the theft by chance. These stories appear despite the fact that most stores don't like this kind of publicity since it may encourage some other petty thief to visit them with a tinfoil-lined booster bag.

Professional thieves are the most expensive...

Industry specialists report that approximately 20% of all shoplifters are professional – stealing high-value items for resale through other channels. As a result, they are responsible for over 80% of the goods stolen, frequently visiting the same store several times a week.

...and booster bag thieves are the most invisible!

In the past, shoplifters have illegally removed security tags and pins on clothing in fitting rooms, or have unwrapped CDs and cosmetics in restrooms. Store personnel find the discarded pins, tags, CD safers, and wrappers – and the evidence is there for all to see. But with booster bags, there are no pins. There are no loose tags. There are no discarded wrappers - only empty shelves and hangers! The perfect crime – made even more perfect if a store continues to deny its existence!

this simple test!

Although many anti-shoplifting systems claim to be able to detect booster bags, don't take anyone's word for it – test it yourself!

Take a shopping bag and wrap it multiple layers of ordinary tinfoil (the more layers, the harder it is to detect). Remember, the bottom must also be covered. Put the bag into a second bag so the foil is hidden, sandwiched between the two bags, and you'll have made an effective booster bag in less than 5 minutes.

Now, load the bag with several (expensive) items, complete with security tags, and walk through your current anti-shoplifting system.

And be prepared for a shock!

How can a thief avoid activating the EAS system?

There are several ways to cheate most current Electronic Article Survelliance systems (EAS). You can either cut the pin and remove the security tag or you can use a cigarette lighter to melt the tag in order to remove it. Since both of these methods take time and may harm merchandise, many professional shoplifters now use "booster bags."

What is a booster bag?

A booster bag is a container or item of clothing lined with multiple layers of aluminum foil. The foil shields the security tag from the EAS system, thus allowing stolen items to pass through the system without setting off the alarm. See Tips for Security Guards for more information.

Are booster bags a serious problem?

Yes! Using a booster bag, the thief can steal 50 or 100 CD's or DVD's in one visit - or any other expensive goods. You can work out the numbers for yourself and quickly see that a single visit from a booster-bag shoplifter can cost significantly more than a detection system designed to prevent these thefts. See About booster bags for more information.

Are foil-lined clothes also a problem?

A foil-lined coat is often used in wintertime and is a popular technique in stores specializing in small, expensive goods, such as perfume and cosmetics. In fact, some U.S. states are now passing legislation that makes it illegal to wear certain types of clothing while shopping, including aluminum underwear.

How many layers of tinfoil are nessesary to cheat an anti-shoplifting system?

Only a few layers are needed to cheat most RF systems. Well-made booster bags thus contain up to 30 layers.

What can be detected by Alert MetalGuard?

Metal that is passing through the detectors. The level of detection can be adjusted so that metal shopping trolleys will not trigger the system.

How sensitive is the system?

The sensitivity can be adjusted according to the needs of the specific store. Usually, sensitivity is set to detect a metal object about the size of an A4 piece of paper. The weight of the metal object is not what is measured, rather it is the physical size. In other words, sensitivity can be adjusted so that mobile phones and other small metal objects will not trigger the system.

Will a sliding door interfere with the Alert MetalGuard system?

Only occasionally. If the Metalguard detectors are installed closer than 90 cm to the sliding door, and if the sliding door has a full metal frame, it will be detected each time the door opens and closes. If the sliding door only has metal at the top and bottom, it will not be detected.

Can MetalGuard be installed close to Checkpoint systems?

Yes! The MetalGuard detector posts can be located as close as 10cm from existing RF security antennas from Checkpoint.

Can MetalGuard be installed close to Sensormatic systems?

Yes! MetalGuard can be located as close as 15cm from Sensormatic AM systems.

Can MetalGuard be installed close to other EAS systems?

Yes. MetalGuard has been successfully installed in conjunctionl with many other leading security products. The distance between a specific EAS system and our detector posts will vary according to the make and model of the conventional system. Alert MetalGuard experts will gladly advise you as to the proper distance for your particular system.

Should MetalGuard be installed inside or outside the shop?

Although at a minimum, we recommend that MetalGuard be installed next to all exterior doors, in larger department stores, extra installations are usually made next to escalators/stairs, or near the entrance to the CD/DVD department.